Promises are easy to make but sometimes difficult to deliver. For Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama delivering on a promise is a way of life.

Yesterday, he was at Naseyani School in Ra to open a new $224,000 dining hall for the students.

The idea was born in a talanoa session at the school when he was there to open the rebuilt school. He went there with “the spirit of talanoa, of open and constructive dialogue, on how we could expand on that success to build even further upon the progress that we had already made.”

And it was during that day’s talanoa session when the people spoke of the needs of the students of Naseyani village, which led to the building of the dining hall.

In a few months the project was completed.

The funds needed for the project came from the Government’s innovative Small Grant Scheme.

Other schools, villages and settlements have benefitted from this programme.

This is a celebration about a project that means a lot for the community there. It stands as a symbol of hope, industry, progress and future development.

Facilities like this satisfy a real need.  Mr Bainimarama is right when he says it is  more than just a new facility, more than the new furniture and gas burners, and even more than the students who will use it.

“It is about those students’ future. This is why I am so passionate about making long-term investments in Fiji’s future generations.”

In the context of education, the dining hall provides an essential facility to support the students in their learning and academic pursuits. The environment gives comfort to students as they eat their lunches. They don’t have to be worried about getting wet from the rain or getting hot from the heat of the sun.

Mr  Bainimarama, once again, shows his soft spot for our children. His passion for their welfare is no secret. It drives his commitment to ensure that no one is left behind both in the urban and rural areas.

His photo on page 1 of the Fiji Sun today is typical of his love for the children. He relishes the opportunity to be with them, shake their hands and chat with them.

When he made the promise that Government would build a dining hall, he meant it. He delivered and the children responded with a big vinaka vakalevu.

In other areas he visited in Ra, people praised him and his Government for their policies. When they promise, they deliver.

Nemani Delaibatiki

Feedback:  nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj